Finally, after Jefferson County Commissioners voted to end hospital services at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital in December of 2012, contracts have been reached with other medical facilities.

On Friday, Jefferson County Manger Tony Petelos announced contracts have been reached with UAB, UAB West, Baptist Health Systems and St. Vincent's Health Systems. The four hospitals will take in indigent patients who need hospital care that Cooper Green Mercy Health Services can no longer provide.

In a media release Petelos said "These contracts are vital both to providing quality patient care to our beneficiaries and to moving closer towards the Commission's vision of establishing a network of community clinics," said Jefferson County Chief Executive Officer Tony Petelos. "These facilities are strategically located throughout the County and once these agreements are approved by the Commission, we can start working with these partners to build a network around them focusing on primary care, preventative care and growing a healthy Jefferson County."

The contracts will go through necessary approvals and any final changes will be made before being presented to the Jefferson County Commission for approval.

"I'm very happy with the services that Cooper Green provides to our community," Petelos said, "Having these contracts in place will further enhance the quality of care we are able to provide to our patients while maximizing the value to the County financially. I'm looking forward to getting these agreements through our review process and presented to the Commission for approval as soon as possible."